Minister for Public Works (R&B), Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said the State Government is pursuing the matter to construct tunnels on Mughal road, Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and Sudhmahadev-Chenani-Khelani road with Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He further said the department is also pursuing for declaration of these roads as National Highways.

The Minister said due to heavy rains, flash-floods slips occurred at various stretches of Batote-Kishtwar-Khannabal road resulting in damages to the road. With the result the road was only single lane at some stretches. He added that as per directions of the Chief Minister during his tour to Doda, 40 vulnerable/washed away stretches were identified and protection works taken up on these spots. The Minister said work has been completed on 11 of these spots till date, while as it is in progress in remaining spots.

Efforts being made to provide regular power supply as per agreed load in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban districts: Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said that efforts are being made to provide regular power supply in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts as per agreed load of registered consumers.

He said this while replying to a question by Naresh Kumar Gupta in the Legislative Council. Dr. Singh said that 142 distribution transformers have been provided to PDD divisions Doda, Kishtwar and Batote.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidutikaran Yojana there was no provision in the sanctioned DPR for augmenting, improving power supply in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts by way of replacement of wooden poles/rusted conductors/ grid stations and damaged transformers. He further informed the House that out of 281 habitations of erstwhile Doda district, 278 habitations have been covered under RGGVY Phase-I while remaining three habitations are having Right of Work (ROW) issues.

He informed the House that the projects in Districts Doda,Kishtwar and Ramban have been sanctioned under RGGVY Phase II and tenders for execution of work have been floated by Chief Engineer EM&RE Jammu.